SI327: 2024's Biggest Investment & Trend Following Insights (Part 1)

<p>This part 1 of 2 episode features a compelling roundtable discussion among all of our incredible co-hosts here at TopTradersUnplugged, where we reflect on the key takeaways of 2024. The main focus is on the significant return dispersion observed in the trend-following community throughout 2024, where performance varied dramatically among managers. We explore the factors contributing to this dispersion, such as differences in speed, market universe, and the impact of discretionary de-risking strategies. Additionally, we examine the influence of macroeconomic changes, particularly the effects of Federal Reserve policies, on market trends and investor behavior. As the conversation unfolds, we also share insights and personal reflections on our investment strategies and predictions for 2025.</p><p><strong>-----</strong></p><p><strong>50 YEARS OF TREND FOLLOWING BOOK AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO FOR ACCREDITED INVESTORS - </strong><a href="https://dunncapital.com/DUNN%2050-Year%20Book-TTU" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>CLICK HERE</strong></a></p><p>-----</p><p><br /></p><p>Follow Niels on <a href="https://twitter.com/toptraderslive" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Twitter</strong></a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nielskaastruplarsen" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>LinkedIn</strong></a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/toptraderslive" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>YouTube</strong></a><strong> </strong>or via the <a href="https://www.toptradersunplugged.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>TTU website</strong></a>.</p><p><strong>IT’s TRUE </strong>? – most CIO’s read 50+ books each year – get your FREE copy of the Ultimate Guide to the Best Investment Books ever written&nbsp;<a href="https://www.toptradersunplugged.com/Ultimate" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a>.</p><p>And you can get a free copy of my latest book “<strong>Ten Reasons to Add Trend Following to Your Portfolio</strong>” <a href="https://www.toptradersunplugged.com/10-reasons-shownotes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a>.</p><p>Learn more about the Trend Barometer <a href="https://www.toptradersunplugged.com/resources/market-trends/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a>.</p><p>Send your questions to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:info@toptradersunplugged.com%22%20%5Ct%20%22_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">info@toptradersunplugged.com</a></p><p>And please <strong>share this episode</strong> with a like-minded friend and <strong>leave an honest Rating &amp; Review</strong> on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.toptradersunplugged.com/reviewttu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>iTunes</strong></a>&nbsp;or <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2OnOvLbIV3AttbFLxuoaBW" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Spotify</strong></a> so more people can discover the podcast.</p><p>Follow Rob on <a href="https://twitter.com/investingidiocy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.</p><p>Follow Alan on <a href="https://mobile.twitter.com/alanjdunne" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.</p><p>Follow Andrew on <a href="https://twitter.com/andrewdbeer1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewdbeer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>.</p><p>Follow Katy on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-kaminski-phd-caia-9731445/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>.</p><p>Follow Cem on <a href="https://x.com/jam_croissant?lang=en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Twitter.</a></p><p>Follow Mark on <a href="https://twitter.com/mrzepczynski" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.</p><p>Follow Nick on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nbaltas/?originalSubdomain=uk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn.</a></p><p>Follow Richard on <a href="https://twitter.com/richb118" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.</p><p><strong>Episode TimeStamps:</strong></p><p><strong>00:22 - </strong>Introduction to the group conversations</p><p><strong>02:33 - </strong>A trend following recap of 2024</p><p><strong>13:07 - </strong>A new president - how does it impact geopolitics?</p><p><strong>17:21 - </strong>What role crowding has played in 2024</p><p><strong>24:00 - </strong>Do less liquid markets trend more?</p><p><strong>32:32 - </strong>Have markets become less efficient over time?</p><p><strong>40:28 - </strong>Are we actually using AI in our work?</p><p><strong>46:00 - </strong>What was the biggest mistake we learned in 2024?</p><p><strong>49:21 - </strong>Why have we experienced such a high dispersion in 2024?</p><p><strong>57:05 - </strong>Wrapping up</p><p>Copyright © 2025 – CMC AG – All Rights Reserved</p><p>----</p><p><strong>PLUS:</strong> Whenever you're ready... here are 3 ways I can help you in your investment Journey:</p><p><strong>1. eBooks that cover key topics that you need to know about </strong></p><p>In my eBooks, I put together some key discoveries and things I have learnt during the more than 3 decades I have worked in the Trend Following industry, which I hope you will find useful. <a href="https://www.toptradersunplugged.com/resources/ebooks/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Click Here</strong></a></p><p><strong>2. Daily Trend Barometer and Market Score </strong></p><p>One of the things I’m really proud of, is the fact that I have managed to published the Trend Barometer and Market Score each day for more than a decade...as these tools are really good at describing the environment for trend following managers as well as giving insights into the general positioning of a trend following strategy! <a href="https://www.toptradersunplugged.com/resources/market-trends/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Click Here</strong></a></p><p><strong>3. Other Resources that can help you</strong></p><p>And if you are hungry for more useful resources from the trend following world...check out some precious resources that I have found over the years to be really valuable. <a href="https://www.toptradersunplugged.com/resources/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Click Here</strong></a></p><p><a href="https://www.toptradersunplugged.com/legal/privacy-policy/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Privacy Policy</a></p><p><a href="https://www.toptradersunplugged.com/disclaimer/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Disclaimer</a></p>